Envy
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot
Summary: A one chapter story about Lyta's feelings
She sat on the bench in the Mimbari garden, her thin, work worn hands folded neatly in her lap. Her back straight with military posture, though it had been over seven years since she had left Earth Force. She wore a long black skirt, to her ankles, a black turtle neck, a long black ankle length cloak, black heels, a Ranger's badge, a belt with a denn'bok attached to it. She was Entil'zah now. Her hair was bound in bun at her neck. She had worn nothing but that color since Marcus had died for her ten years ago, since the war had been lost, ten years ago.
Her face was towards the setting sun, the light illuminating her. She was beautiful in it. Her hair was as dark as the day he had left her, untouched by gray. Her skin flawless as a youth. Her over thin body was still coated in strong muscle. She was almost forty now, but she didn't look to be thirty.
Lyta envied her. Two people had died for her, because they loved her that much. Her mother had died to keep her safe from the Corp. Marcus had died so she could live. For Lyta, there had only been the Corp, and Byron. Byron had used her just like the Corp had used her. Nine years now she had traveled the galaxy, first with G'Kar, then on her own. She was so lonely, she had no one, she had no reason.
Even though Susan was as alone as Lyta, she had a purpose, a reason. Lyta had nothing, no where to go. After years of traveling, she was so tired. This was the only place she could come was Mimbar. The only other place was Babylon 5, and that was now in Earth Force control. The alliance headquarters was here now. The Sheridans' had their own home near by, where they were raising their son, David. Susan had rooms in the Ranger compound; she preferred it to an empty home. Lyta too was staying in the Ranger compound.
Lyta walked slowly outside to the garden. Susan looked up when she approached and Lyta met her blind eyes. She had lost her sight in an accident in the three years she had spent as captain of her own ship, before she resigned to come and became vice president of the alliance, and Ranger One of the Rangers. She said nothing as Lyta approached, and Lyta did not identify herself. Lyta thought that despite their differences, they were so similar. All alone in the night. She thought that Susan was perhaps the only person who could understand her feelings. It was so odd, she thought a little over ten years ago they had been enemies. Lyta, terrified for her own safety had become convinced Susan was the sleeper, accusing her of it publicly. Susan, equally convinced that she was a psi corp spy, had fought her bitterly. At the end, Lyta had discovered Susan's deepest secret. It had left them ill at ease with one another.
Lyta seated herself on the bench next to Susan. The sun had almost set now. She was still for a minute, saying nothing, doing nothing, relishing in their odd friendship, because that was what she felt for Susan now, she realized, friendship. Susan too was quiet, surprising Lyta as she took Lyta's hand in her own. They sat there in silence long into the night.